Gov. Bev Perdue met with residents and community leaders today as she assessed the state’s continuing efforts to recover from Hurricane Irene. She visited a farmer in Colerain, talked with residents on Hatteras Island, saw the temporary homes set up for displaced residents in Aurora and Bayboro, and visited with applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers in Windsor and Grantsboro.

“We are going to stick with the people in eastern North Carolina to help them recover, but we know that it will take time,” Gov. Perdue said. “I want to make sure that we do whatever it takes so families, businesses and farmers can get back on their feet.”

In the month since Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina, approximately $29.9 million in federal and state disaster assistance has been approved to help residents recover in the 35 counties designated for individual assistance in the disaster declaration.

The recovery efforts include installing temporary housing units as a short-term solution for eligible survivors in communities with extremely limited rental resources. The two-bedroom and three-bedroom units come furnished and equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, linens and basic kitchen equipment. Each unit is also equipped with a NOAA weather radio.

About three dozen temporary housing units are in place on survivors’ properties in Beaufort and Pamlico counties. Another two dozen units are waiting to be placed. Local, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives continue to assess the need for more temporary housing in other counties.

Nearly 29,000 survivors have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home has been damaged or destroyed. Other callers may be interested in disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling or legal aid.

Disaster Recovery Centers have been opened in 27 communities to provide one-on-one assistance for those who suffered losses from the storms. Representatives from N.C. Emergency Management, FEMA and the Small Business Administration staff the centers providing guidance on the recovery process. People have made more than 11,950 visits to the centers, which remain open in 19 cities.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has been removing vegetative debris along state-maintained roads in 37 coastal counties. To date, more than 37,000 tons of debris has been cleared. Counties are working with state and local emergency management to clear household and construction debris from private roads in the hardest-hit counties.

The following is a snapshot of other disaster recovery efforts:

6,930 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing and/or replace personal property.

$17.1 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.$3.4 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.$9.4 million in low-interest disaster loans approved by the SBA. 20,143 home inspections completed.

PREVIOUS STORYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Gov. Beverly Perdue has taken a first-hand look at efforts in eastern North Carolina to recover from Hurricane Irene.

A statement from the governor's office Friday said Perdue visited a farmer in Colerain, talked with residents on Hatteras Island and saw temporary homes set up for displaced residents in Aurora and Bayboro.

Places like Waves on Hatteras Island are still isolated as N.C. 12 remains closed south of Nags Head after storm surge breached the island's only link to the mainland. The state Department of Transportation wants the road reopened with temporary repairs in early October.

More than 28,000 people have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance from the storm that made landfall Aug. 27. Grants of $20 million have been approved for homeowners and renters.

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